The Postal Service is testing larger mailbox designs
Next Generation Mailbox Pilots
USPS reports 298 Customers have registered for the “Next Generation Mailbox” with 201 boxes installed.
Suburban Box Pilot:
As previously reported, mailboxes for suburban and rural households are being piloted at four sites in California, Colorado and North Dakota. The First Box was installed on 12-18-14.
The next phase will target routes and addresses with the most delivered scans that were not scanned/ delivered in/at a box or a parcel locker.
Customer feedback:
“This is amazing. I don don’t have to go to the PO anymore.”
“I’ve been making more online purchases because the mailbox is so convenient.”
Urban Box Pilot:
In the Urban Box Pilot, 28 customers have registered for the Next Generation Mailbox. As of February 11, 2015, boxes have been installed at four pilot sites in
Boston, MA
Brooklyn, NY
Pittsburgh, PA &
Washington, DC
Four pilot sites
(Boston, Brooklyn, Pittsburgh & Wash DC)
Four boxes installed as of 2/11
28 customers have registered for the Next Gen Mailbox
Weather has delayed some installations
1.20.2015 – The Postal Service is testing new, larger mailbox designs that can handle more than 70 percent of the packages sent through the mail.
As the mail mix continues to change — with fewer letters and a growing volume of packages — customers often find their mailbox is stuffed to overflowing.
Many parcels won’t fit in standard curbside boxes, which means packages are delivered to doorsteps — susceptible to theft and damage. Failed delivery attempts and notices are frustrating for residents as well.
An urban mailbox for one or more households is being tested in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. Another mailbox for suburban and rural households is being piloted in California, Colorado and North Dakota.
“The mailbox in use today was designed over 100 years ago,” said USPS New Products and Innovation VP Gary Reblin. “We need to bring it into the 21st century. Our customers want greater security and convenience for the packages they order online.”
So far, about 165 customers are participating in the tests, which are voluntary.
The Postal Service is paying for the installation of the mailboxes. In return, customers provide feedback on the most-wanted features before wider testing begins.
Initial results are expected next summer.
USPS News Link Story – Shape of things to come
I would like to know how I can get one of the new mail boxes for testing I live in Oklahoma on a rural route.
The size is important, but they should be basing the size of the boxes that fit to the size of amazon parcels. They should also base it upon LAZY UPS, FED EX, LASERSHIP drivers putting their parcels in the mailbox, leaving no room for the US MAIL.
about dam time!
This is a great idea! Except for a lot of us who walk our routes won’t get to use those curbside boxes, and we just leave the parcels by the door anyway. So does this mean the PO will require everyone to have a new curbside box for “safety reasons?” and no more walking routes? Hmmm…. wonder what the nalc will say about this one……let the battle begin- stay tuned.
Now we are getting somewhere. The size of the mailbox is what is important!!!!!
You would think that after 100 years they’d be able to design one that locks.